Dispensing machine



Aug. 12, 1941. L D, DENN|S 2,252,493

DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet l ug. 12, 1941 L. D. DENNIS 2,252,493

DISPENS ING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14, 41939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 N 1 N l fi' l .9W Y f' I v k Hl'n..l HMI" Impar/fz ulm..

N I Inventor Z.Z. ,Zelzizl'd/ Aug.` l2, 1941. L. D. DENNIS DISPENSING MACHIN'EU Filed Feb. 14, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 nvenm4 imzzfv By Attorneys Patented Aug. 12, 1941 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFHCE msrENsING MACHINE Luther D. Dennis, Comanche, Okla.

Application February 14, 1939, Serial No. 256,352

(ci. 31a-44s) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in dispensers and more particularly to a dispensing machine especially adapted for dispensing bottled beverages and in fact, other articles of a cylindrical nature. v l

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing machine whereby articles can be dispensed in a safeguarded and fool-proof manner with a minimum amount of mechanism.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a coin-controlled dispensing machine which while being of simple construction will eliminate the dispensing of the goods without coin actuation. Y Y

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus of the character stated, wherein the goods can be replaced in a convenient manner as the supply in the machine diminishes.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings- Figure 1 represents a vertical sectional view through the mechanism ofJthe machine;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view with the shell removed.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view `taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on a line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen. that numeral 5 represents a base from which rises rear uprights 6, bridged by a bar l, just below the upper ends thereof. At the forward end of the base 5 are inn-er uprights 8 and outer uprights 9. Adjacent inner and outer uprights 8-9 are connected by a wall or plate IIl. The upper ends lof the uprights 8 are bridged by a bar II which are pivotally secured as at I9, flanges extendi ing upwardly from the intermediate chute section I2, the forward end portion of which rests on the bar II. The forward end portion of the chute I2 is shaped to form an upwardly curved wall 2| and at this point the flanges 20 merge withside walls 22 extending rearwardly fromthe wall 2|. To the `side walls 22 are pivotally secured as at 23, an uppermostl chute section 24 which has its rear free end adapted to rest on the cross bar "I, whenthe machine is closed for operation.

' It can'be seen thatwhen the bottles have been dispensed to such an extent that the lastone is on the'chute I3, then the'upper chute sections 24 I0' and I2 can be'swung toward the rear of the machine, that is, after the shell I5 has been lifted,

T This exposes the lower section I3. l5

the supply of 4bottlescan be replenished and build up from one section to the other until the machine is completely charged.

The mechanism for operating the machine includes a shaft 25 which has a finger 25 extending upwardly'therefrom and in the path of a plunger 2l of a coin slide generallyreferred to by numeral 28, and which of course, can be of any design desired, but which is of the type having a slide element l.for action against the finger 25 to rotate the shaft-25.v

' Depending from the shaft 25 is an arm 29 which is connected by a pivotal link 3Il to a dog 3| swingably mounted as at 32 on one side wall IIJ.

A tension spring 33 extends between an anchor 34 on the wall I0 and arm 29 and normally maintains the nger in an upwardly disposed position and against the plunger 2l which of course, holds the dog 3| against a ratchet wheel 35. A leg 36 depends from the shaft 25 and serves to block an underlying blade 3l of a dispensing reel generally referred to by numeral 33, when one bottle has been allowed to pass.

'I'he reel consists of a plurality of spokes or the like 39 radiating from a second shaft 4B and to these spokes 39 are secured the blades 31. It is preferable that there are four of these blades radially disposed with respect to the shaft 40 and it is of course, required that the space between the blades be just sucient to receive one bottle A.

The ratchet wheel is suitably secured toi the shaft and has ratchet teeth or projections 4| at the periphery thereof equal in number to the number of blades 3l. The ratchet wheel 35 has a hub 42 against which pressure bars 43 bear. These pressure bars 43 serve to snub the action of the ratchet wheel 35 as it rotates, as the weight of the bottles graviltating on the inclined chute I 3 serve to propel the reel 38.

This snubbing means consists of a rod 44 having threaded end portions disposed through apertured ends of the bars 43-43, and this threaded rod has nuts 45 thereon to prevent displacement of the pressure bars 43.. The remaining ends of the pressure bars 43-43 are apertured to receive a bolt 46 which has a head 41 bearing against the under side of one of the bars 43. The opposite ends of the bolt 46 has a feedable nut 48 thereon. Interposed between the nut 48 and the upper pressure bar 43 is a compression spring 49, while interposed between the pressure bars 43-43 and on the bolt 46 is a compression spring 50.

It is to be understood that the snubbing means above explained is to be so adjusted that the reel will have a certain degree of freedom to rotate. For instance, when the dog 3| is lifted from the corresponding projection 4l, the reel must be allowed to rotate with sufficient rapidity so as to permit the next blade 38 to clear the leg 36 before the leg 36 has lowered to a reelstopping position.

It can now be seen that a coin is deposited in the coin slider 28 and the mechanism operated to work the plunger 21, which acts against the finger 26. This rotates the shaft 25 and causes the arm 29 to swing upwardly, lifting the dog 3| from behind the adjacent ratchet tooth 4I This permits the first or lowermost bottle to operate the reel 38, but as the leg 36 has been thrown downwardly, it is in the path of the underlying blade 31, so that the reel cannot rotate any more than is required to pass one bottle. When the coin slider 28 is released, the spring 33 retracts thernger 26, returning the plunger 21 of the coin mechanism (not shown in detail) and restoring the mechanism to set position.

The snubbing means shown in Figure 4 of course prevents the reel from operating too rapidly, allowing the bottle to roll out easily. As can be seen in Figure 4, a post 5I projecting from the adjacent wall l0 has the threaded rod 44 carried thereby.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the claimed as new is:

l. In a dispensing apparatus, an article impelled reel consisting of a shaft and a plurality of article confining blades extending therefrom, a ratchet wheel carried by the shaft, a second shaft, a finger rising from the second-mentioned shaft, a plunger adapted to be pushed against the nger to rotate the second-mentioned shaft, an arm extending from the second-mentioned shaft, a dog operative against the ratchet wheel to normally prevent'l rotation of the reel, an operative connection between said arm and said dog whereby upon rotation of said second-mentioned shaft said dog is disengaged from said ratchet wheel and said reel is permitted to rotate, and a leg depending from the second-mentioned shaft and adapted to move in-to position as said second-mentioned shaft rotates to block the succeeding blade after the reel has rotated a distance equivalent to the width of space between a pair of adjacent blades of said reel.

2. In a dispensing apparatus, an article impelled reel consisting of a shaft and a plurality of article conning blades extending therefrom., a ratchet wheel carried by the shaft, a second shaft, a linger rising from the second-mentioned shaft, a plunger adapted to be pushed against the finger to rotate the second-mentioned shaft, an arm extending from the second-mentioned shaft, a dog operative against the ratchet wheel to normally prevent rotation of the reel, an operative connection between said arm and said dog whereby upon rotation of said second-mentioned shaft said dog is disengaged from said ratchet wheel and said reel is permitted to rotate, and a leg depending from the second-mentioned shaft and adapted to move into position as said second-mentioned shaft rotates to block the succeeding blade after the reel has rotated a distance equivalent to the width of space between a pair of adjacent blades of said reel, and adjustable snubbing means for the first-mentioned shaft adapted to be adjusted to permit rotation of the reel just free enough to permit engagement of the leg with only the succeeding blade of the reel.

invention, what is LUTHER D. DENNIS. 

